GOLD COAST 15-19 MARCH 2019 - Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort - Australia Wide Conferences
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2019 AFDA NATIONAL CONVENTION
GOLD COAST Sheraton Grand
15–19 MARCH 2019 Mirage Resort
Early Bird Registration
Closes 1 February 2019
2019 AFDA National Convention
PRESIDENT’S INVITATION will provide plenty of opportunity to not only enjoy the delights of the
Gold Coast, but also to network and informally discuss issues and ideas
with industry peers from around Australia and overseas.
On behalf of the AFDA National
Executive, it gives me great I take this opportunity to thank all our convention sponsors and in
pleasure to extend a warm particular our National Corporate Partners – Foresters Friendly Society,
invitation to Members and Hyqual Australia, Funeral Plan Management, ACC Higgins, IC Frith &
industry colleagues to attend Associates, AustralianSuper, Australian Friendly Society and Bendigo
the 2019 AFDA National Bank. As you know without the continued support of all our loyal
Convention to be held at sponsors this annual convention would not be possible.
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort,
Please join us for the 2019 AFDA Convention and I urge you to register
Gold Coast from Friday 15
now to take advantage of the early bird registration rate, which applies
March to Tuesday 19 March.
for full registrations received by 1 February 2019.
We have put together a
varied education program,
based on your suggestions
from previous conventions,
which we hope will provide innovative, valuable and
practical ideas for not only your business, but also your
personal development. In addition to the great education Allan Piddington
program, we have a range of fantastic social events that AFDA National President
DESTINATION: GOLD COAST style, take a wander towards the Southport Spit – or simply The Spit – to
locals. Along the Gold Coast Broadwater opposite Southport, you’ll find
From the iconic Surfers Paradise beach to the our hotel the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort and exclusive shopping at
sophisticated dining precincts of Main Beach and Marina Mirage.
Broadbeach and out to the lush, green Hinterland, there’s Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast offers a beautiful beachfront
a new experience waiting for you at every turn on the location with 295 accommodation rooms and suites, plus 12 newly
Gold Coast. transformed villas, all offering spaciousness and comfort. Onsite facilities
Main Beach, situated at the northern end of the Gold include the Gold Coast’s best seafood buffet restaurant – Terraces,
Coast, was so named as it was the main surf beach to the Pearls Bar featuring the ‘Paired Menu Experience’, Oyster – a la carte
town of Southport. But while its name may be obvious, dining and bar, Oasis poolside dining and bar plus 24 hour in-room
its hidden gems are far more exciting for this is one of dining. With ample complimentary undercover parking, onsite access to
the coast’s areas which celebrates something old and gymnasium and spa facilities, complimentary WiFi and direct access to
something new in style. A highlight of a visit here is to the patrolled Mirage beach, the iconic Sheraton Grand is ideally suited
the beach itself, where the old bathing pavilion, has for everyone.
been reincarnated as a casual beach café.
The old male and female change pavilions
are still there with loads of retro photos to
remind you of the Main Beach of old. This
bathing pavilion sits next to the Southport
Surf Club, the first to make its mark on the
Gold Coast in 1936 and right next to a
sprawling shady park which is perfect for
oceanfront picnics.
Away from the beach – popular with surfers
due to its open shore break – toddle down
to Tedder Avenue. Sassy socialites and salty
surfies rub shoulders here in this strip of
modern cafes, exclusive restaurants, bars
and boutiques. For more shopping and
10
Delegate’s Program CPD HOURS
Friday 15 March
2.00pm – 5.00pm Convention Registration Mirage Boardroom
Convention Gift Sheraton Grand Mirage
Sponsored by Australian Friendly Society
Name Tags
Sponsored by Ashton Manufacturing
6.30pm – 9.30pm AFDA President’s Welcome Cocktail Reception Poolside Lawn
Sponsored by Hyqual Australia Sheraton Grand Mirage
Saturday 16 March
9.00am – 10.00am Official Opening, Memorial Service and Industry Reports Grand Ballroom
10.00am – 10.10am National Corporate Partner Update Grand Ballroom
Foresters Friendly Society
10.10am – 10.30am Morning Tea Grand Ballroom Foyer
10.30am – 11.20am Education Session 1: National Research Findings Grand Ballroom
– Funeral Directors, Families and Bereavement Services
with Professor Samar Aoun
Sponsored by AustralianSuper
11.20am – 11.30am National Corporate Partner Update Grand Ballroom
AustralianSuper
11.30am – 12.30pm Education Session 2: Communicating with Today’s Customer Grand Ballroom
with Mike Watkins
Sponsored by ACC Higgins
12.30pm – 12.45pm International Update – China Funeral Association Grand Ballroom
12.45pm – 12.55pm National Corporate Partner Update Grand Ballroom
ACC Higgins
1.10pm – 3.30pm Key Note Luncheon with Steven Bradbury – The Last Man Standing! Pandanus Room
Sponsored by Foresters Friendly Society
5.00pm – 6.30pm AFDA Future Gen Networking Event Horizon Room
* Pre-registration required, funeral directors only event
Sponsored by Funeral Studio
Free Evening
Sunday 17 March
9.00am – 10.00am Education Session 3: Building Loyalty to Your Business with Mike Watkins Grand Ballroom
Sponsored by ACC Higgins
10.00am – 10.10am National Corporate Partner Update Grand Ballroom
Hyqual Australia
10.10am – 10.30am Morning Tea Grand Ballroom Foyer
10.30am – 10.40am National Corporate Partner Update Grand Ballroom
Funeral Plan Management
10.40am – 11.40am Education Session 4: Cultural Diversity Grand Ballroom
with Joshua Slabb and Kyle Slabb from Banaam Group
Sponsored by Flying Home
11.40am – 12.40pm Education Session 5: Using Technology on a Funeral with Marc Foi Grand Ballroom
Sponsored by Foresters Friendly Society
2019 AFDA National Convention
12.40pm – 12.50pm National Corporate Partner Update Grand Ballroom
IC Frith & Associates
12.50pm – 1.30pm AFDA Working Lunch Grand Ballroom Foyer
Sponsored by Bendigo Bank
1.30pm – 1.40pm National Corporate Partner Update Grand Ballroom
Bendigo Bank
1.40pm – 2.40pm Education Session 6: Successfully Negotiating Difficult Conversations Grand Ballroom
with Client Families and Your Staff
with Liz Crowe
Sponsored by Batesville Casket Company
2.40pm – 2.50pm National Corporate Partner Update Grand Ballroom
Australian Friendly Society
2.50pm – 3.10pm Afternoon Tea Grand Ballroom Foyer
3.10pm – 4.30pm Education Session 7: Trends and Challenges in Today’s Funeral Industry Grand Ballroom
– Panel Discussion
Sponsored by Shotton Parmed
6.15pm Coaches depart for SkyPoint Meet in Hotel Foyer
6.30pm – 10.30pm AFDA Convention Dinner Level 77, SkyPoint
Sponsored by IC Frith & Associates
Monday 18 March
7.45am Coach departs for Golf Day at The Glades Golf Club Meet in Hotel Foyer
9.45am Meet in foyer for coach to Sea World Meet in Hotel Foyer
10.00am – 12.30pm Visit Sea World at your leisure Sea World
Sponsored by Funeral Plan Management
12.30pm – 1.45pm Casual BBQ lunch at Sea World Paradise Room
Sponsored by Funeral Plan Management Sea World
1.45pm – 5.00pm Continue to enjoy Sea World or depart at your leisure
– 12 minute walk to hotel
2.30pm Coaches depart golf for hotel
6.45pm Official Convention Photo Hotel Staircase
7.00pm – 11.00pm AFDA President’s Gala Dinner Grand Ballroom
Sponsored by Fairfax Media
Partner’s Program
Saturday 16 March
9.00am – 10.10am Opening and Memorial Service Grand Ballroom
10.10am – 3.30pm Education Sessions and Key Note Luncheon As per program
(or free day for shopping, beach and relaxing)
Sunday 17 March
10.00am Coach departs for Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Meet in Hotel Foyer
10.30am – 2.30pm Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (includes lunch) Currumbin Sanctuary
3.00pm Return to hotel
EDUCATION SESSIONS TOPICS AND PRESENTERS
Key Note Luncheon Speaker recommendation, do not really understand the services or
Steven Bradbury – Last Man Standing value they provide, and how they care for both the dead
and the living. Too often, families are coming to them with
Speed skater Steven Bradbury collected the most inaccurate information and are making important decisions
unlikely, unthinkable gold medal in the history of prematurely. Promoting your business today means learning
the Olympics. Australia’s first Winter Olympic Gold to be professionally assertive and seeking opportunities to
medal! Steven tells an amazingly inspirational story position yourself as the ‘go-to’ expert in your community.
of triumph over adversity, of how he underwent Rather than simply making contacts, this session will
years of obsessive training, pain, setbacks, sacrifice explore how todays’ progressive funeral professional must
and life threatening injuries and of how he armed build relationships with key allied professionals and families
himself with the information and tools he needed to in order to build loyalty to their business.
achieve this amazing success. His story is combined with some Aussie
larrikin, a little political incorrectness, and some proper belly laughs. Michael J Watkins, serves as the Vice President of
Steven doesn’t call himself a stand-up comedian, because he only does Operations at the Park Lawn Corporation in Houston, Texas
the standing up bit… and has been involved in both public and private funeral
and cemetery organisations during his more than 35 years
in the profession.
National Research Findings – Funeral Directors, Families and
Bereavement Services
Cultural Intelligence
Professor Samar Aoun, Professor of Palliative Care,
La Trobe University, VIC Joshua Slabb and Kyle Slabb, Banaam Group, QLD
Professor Aoun is a Professor of Palliative Care at Indigenous culture recognises the
LaTrobe University and has conducted a nationwide primary importance of relationships
bereavement survey with the assistance of six AFDA and offering every individual a sense
of their relationship to community
Members across four states focusing on the needs of
and country. These fundamental
the bereaved, the areas they found support and the
principles are dynamically taught in
gaps that need filling. 839 respondents indicated a
this immersive training experience.
largely positive impact from funeral directors (91.3%
The Banaam team deliver unique
helpful), however some areas of improvement have
and highly practical information to build a foundation of
been identified. A new research paper focusing on funeral directors due
knowledge and skills essential to developing advanced
to be published in late 2018 will form the basis of her presentation at
cultural intelligence, cross-cultural competence and
convention.
community engagement. Banaam training provides a lens
through which to view all relationships within the cultural
Communicating with Today’s Customer framework, enhancing engagement between Aboriginal
Mike Watkins, Park Lawn Corporation, USA and Torres Strait Islander people and the broader
Australian community. Banaam’s training is essential
One of the greatest challenges funeral service for everyone wanting to gain a better understanding
professionals worldwide are currently facing is of Indigenous culture and a must for any organisation
adapting to the ‘new consumer’ that is vastly wanting to engage with Indigenous communities.
different from the families they have served in
the past. While some families are still rooted in
tradition, many are questioning the value of the Using Technology on a Funeral
funeral itself and the services and merchandise they Marc Foi, Firehawk Digital CRM, NSW
offer. This has led to a growing number of persons
Following on from the success of
whose grief needs are not being met due to their lack of understanding
Marc’s session in 2018 – ‘Technology
of the funeral process and its importance. This session will explore
in Your Funeral Home’ – Marc Foi will
this phenomenon and the strategies that progressive funeral service
join us once again to discuss how
professionals are employing to create value and meet the family’s needs
technology is used in and around
through personalised, funeral experiences.
funerals. Marc is an early adopter and
Building Loyalty to Your Business self-professed geek with a passion
Funeral service professionals are facing new challenges today when for cutting edge technology. His
it comes to promoting their business. Many of the allied professionals sessions are free-form and informative, with a continual
in their communities, who are in the greatest position to make a question and answer format. Whether it’s web streaming,
2019 AFDA National Convention
SOCIAL PROGRAM
slideshows or digital tributes, there’s a lot to be learned
AFDA President’s Welcome Cocktail Reception
from evolving practices around Australia and the world.
sponsored by Hyqual Australia
What will the future of funerals look like? And how will
we communicate with our families? Just some of the Date: Friday 15 March 2019
questions we hope to answer for you in this informative Time: 6.30pm – 9.30pm
session. Venue: Poolside Lawn, Sheraton Grand Mirage
There’s no better way to kick off convention than with a sumptuous
cocktail reception, with live food stations. Eat, drink and catch up
Successfully Negotiating Difficult Conversations with
with colleagues and friends from around the country as you enjoy the
Client Families and Your Staff
tropical delights of Queensland, right next to the beach.
Liz Crowe, Advanced Clinician Social Worker, QLD
AFDA Convention Dinner
When we are speaking to colleagues, sponsored by IC Frith & Associates
clients or even family and friends
people believe their message is clear Date: Sunday 17 March 2019
and it is always the other person Time: 6.30pm – 10.30pm
who has so foolishly misunderstood. Venue: Level 77, SkyPoint
However, communication is a lot more SkyPoint Observation Deck is located in the Q1 Building in Surfers
than just talking and listening. This Paradise and is Australia’s only beach side observation deck. Rising a
presentation will teach you how to sheer 230 metres into the sky you will have the best possible views of
use your emotional intelligence to plan and regulate your the city and its surrounds, including the lush green hinterland, sleek
communication. It will explore difficult conversations with city skyline and – of course – the endless stretch of golden beaches as
staff as well as very challenging and demanding client far as the eye can see as we enjoy canapes and a fabulous 2 course
families. Using real scenarios and practical tips along with dinner.
humour, participants can anticipate this talk will better
AFDA President’s Gala Dinner
equip them to have a number of strategies to cope with
sponsored by Fairfax Media
the most challenging of conversations. Liz Crowe is an
Advanced Clinician Social Worker with expertise in grief, Date: Monday 18 March 2019
loss, crisis and bereavement in the ICU setting as well Time: 7.00pm – 11.00pm
as end of life care and Advance Care Planning. Liz is the Venue: Grand Ballroom, Sheraton Grand Mirage
successful author of ‘The Little Book of Loss and Grief You Convention delegates always look forward to this glamorous final night
Can Read While You Cry’. with the official handover to a new National President. In keeping with
tradition, delegates will celebrate our final evening together in black-
Trends and Challenges in Today’s Funeral Industry tie and evening dress at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Ballroom.
Panel Discussion facilitated by Andrew Pinder, VIC AFDA Annual Convention Golf Tournament
What are the biggest risks that your Date: Monday 18 March 2019
funeral home faces today? Are you Time: 7.45am – 2.30pm
aware of the impact that current Venue: The Glades Golf Club
industry issues can have on your The annual convention golf tournament will take place on the
business (regional consolidation, beautiful fairways of the Greg Norman designed Glades Golf Club.
increased competition for staff, media Golfers will enjoy 18 holes on this course before enjoying a BBQ lunch
scandals, academic criticism, price at the clubhouse.
transparency and the UK price enquiry,
Sea World Visit and Lunch
celebrants partnering with cemeteries/crematoria and
sponsored by Funeral Plan Management
avoiding funeral directors…)? Do you have strategies in
place to help protect yourself? Are you taking advantage Date: Monday 18 March 2019
of opportunities available to your funeral home? Our Time: 9.45am – at leisure
expert panel of funeral directors from around the nation Venue: Sea World Gold Coast
will illuminate the current issues facing our industry and Enjoy an exciting day at Australia’s most famous theme park – Sea
suggest approaches to managing them. World. What better way to spend the day than enjoying all the
splendours Sea World has to offer with its marine animals and thrill
seeking rides. There will be plenty of free time before and after a
private BBQ lunch for everybody to enjoy the wonders of Sea World.PARTNER’S PROGRAM
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Visit and Lunch
Date: Sunday 17 March 2019
Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm
Spend the day exploring this iconic Gold Coast wildlife sanctuary. REGISTRATION
Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of rainforest, wandering
Please complete the Convention Registration Form
through open animal enclosures, feeding kangaroos and cuddling
and return it to AFDA National Office along with full
koalas. Experience the wild lorikeet feeding, free flight bird shows and
payment.
Aboriginal performances. With a huge outdoor themed playground,
Wild Island, there is plenty of entertainment for kids to enjoy as they Early Bird Registrations close on 1 February 2019.
tour the sanctuary on a miniature train. Registration bookings cannot be accepted without full
payment.
Full Registration includes:
Attendance at all convention sessions/partner’s
ACCOMMODATION BOOKINGS program, functions and activities, return transport
To make an accommodation booking please fill in the Accommodation to off-site functions and events as stated in program,
Booking Form and return to: convention gift and pocket program.
Jon Doland Partial Registration includes:
Australia Wide Conferences Attendance at the specific session or activity, catering
Phone: 02 6654 1104 as detailed in the specific session/activity if applicable,
Fax: 02 6654 9111 transport for the specific off-site activity as stated in
Email: jon@australiawideconferences.com.au program. Please note: Partial Registration does not
include a convention satchel/gift.
Or you can book online at
Registration Cancellations and Refunds
www.australiawideconferences.com.au/afda
Registration cancellations must be received in
Please do not book accommodation directly with the hotel writing at AFDA National Office prior to 12 February
All accommodation bookings must be made prior to 1 February 2019. Thereafter, no refunds will apply, however
2019. After this date it is at the hotels discretion whether to accept substitutions are welcome.
reservations which will be at best available hotel rate and subject to
availability. Bookings are not secured until Jon Doland receives your
credit card details.
ACCOMMODATION CANCELLATION POLICY: Sheraton Grand Mirage
has a very strict cancellation policy. To avoid any cancellation charges,
email notification must be received by Jon Doland before 12 February.
Cancellations received after this date or no shows will incur a charge
DRESS CODE
for the full length of stay. Welcome Cocktail Reception, Smart Casual
Education Sessions, Sunday
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort
Night Dinner
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast offers 295 accommodation
rooms including mirage resort rooms, deluxe suites, plus 12 newly Opening Ceremony and Smart
transformed villas, all offering spaciousness and comfort. Memorial Service (jacket optional, no tie)
Mirage Room (King or Twin)
Room only rate $275 per night Partners Program and Casual and Comfortable
Sea World Visit Bring a hat and water
Other room types available – please refer to accommodation booking
form or contact Jon Doland directly.
Golf Suitable golf attire
President’s Gala Dinner Black Tie/After 52019 AFDA National Convention
Sponsors
AFDA gratefully acknowledges the support of the following Sponsors:
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